(a) The judges of the city courts of this state having concurrent jurisdiction with the superior courts of this state to try misdemeanor cases and to try civil cases where the amount involved exceeds $500.00, where not otherwise specifically provided for by law, may appoint an official court reporter, as defined in Article 2 of this chapter, whose compensation for reporting criminal and civil cases and for attendance upon court shall be the same as provided by the Judicial Council pursuant to Code Section 15-5-21. The court reporter reporting and transcribing civil cases shall be paid by the party or parties requesting the reporting or transcribing.

(b) This Code section shall not apply to the city courts of this
state where provision has been made by law prior to February 13,
1950, for the appointment of the official reporters of city courts.